The Kaiser Girls and Daddy: Preschool Assessment

Yes, I'll say it a again... Preschool. That sounds so funny to say....like I actually have a big kid in my house! But then again, Elise will be turning 3 in January.

Since we have been a part of Help Me Grow (for children with developmental delays or who are at risk for delays), we had to have a preschool assessment with our county to see if Elise will continue to need intervention and help in school or if she will enter school as a 'typical' child- one without delays. Each county in Ohio does this assessment for their Help Me Grow children- but it may vary a bit from county to county. Wood county does a play based assessment where Elise played with a few other children who were there for observation. During this playtime, she was assessed by a preschool special education teacher, a child psychologist, and a speech therapist. All this was completed without us parents participating.

Several hours later, we were briefed by the team. It was determined that Elise needed more intervention with her speech and therefore qualified for a spot in Perrysburg preschool program. All children who qualify with a speech impairment (or other disability that requires intervention and help) are required to have a spot in the public school system. So, as Elise turns 3, she will be going to preschool each morning- Monday through Thursday. This program is an integrated class of both typical children and those with delays.

I have to say that I am surprised. Elise has had such a burst of language- she says such complex sentences sometimes that she makes me smile and laugh. However, I don't doubt that she has articulation issues. She qualified strictly because she 'fronts' her speech-- meaning she doesn't produce many sounds from the back of her throat (such as 'K' or 'G'). Instead of saying 'Garth'... she'll say 'Darth'. But, with help from a speech therapist in school (her current therapist is on maternity leave), she'll learn to produce those sounds in no time.

Jeff and I will sit down with Elise's preschool team (those involved with her assessment) next week to work on her IEP (individual goals for the next year). It is our hope that we will get 'caught' up and enter Kindergarten without any impairment or delay. This is a very realistic goal.

I guess when I look at the below photographs, I realize Elise is getting to be a big girl!